Many couples write their own vows, which is much encouraged. In addition, you may wish to exchange formal vows, perhaps before the personal ones which you have written to each other.

Here are some examples of vows which show the reciprocal nature of a marriage commitment; mutual trust, respect, support - and an understanding that this is partnership which will weather the difficult times as well as the joyous events in your lives.

I [Name] take you,[Name],
to be no other than yourself
loving what I know of you
trusting what I do not yet know
with respect for your integrity
and faith in your love for me
through all our years
and in all that life may bring us.

__________

from Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass

Camerado,
I give you my hand!
I give you my love more precious than money;
I give you myself before preaching and law:
Will you give me yourself?
Will you come travel with me?
Shall we stick by each other as long as we live?"

__________

I ___ take you name as my husband/wifeWith the ease of a breathTo wake and walk through lifeAs one forever_____________

Traditional Inuit
Wedding Vow

You are my husband/wife
My feet shall run because of you.
My feet dance because of you.
My eyes see because of you.
My mind thinks because of you.
And I shall love because of you.

__________

"I [Name] take you [Name] to be the wife/husband of my
days,
to be the mother/father of my children,
to be the companion of my house;
We shall bear together what share of trouble and sorrow
our lives may lay upon us, We shall share together whatever of joy and fulfillment life may hold And we shall hold together
our store of goodness and plenty and love."

__________

On this
day, (month, day, year), I, (name), join myself to you (name), before this company. May our days be long, and may they be seasoned with love, understanding and
respect.(and/or)

Where there
has been cold,
you have brought warmth;
where my life was dark,
you have brought light.
(Name), I pledge before this assembled company
to be your (husband/wife) from this day forward.
Let us make of our two lives, one life,
and let us always honor and respect each other. ___________

I NAME,
pledge to you, NAME To share my
life with you,To never
lose faith in you,To accept
you for who you are,To grow
with you.I pledge to
be with youIn body and
in spirit,In laughter
and in tears.And I will
depend upon you To do the
same.I dedicate
to you aloneThe best of
myself.With great
honor And
boundless joyI stand
here nowTo welcome
and accept youAs my
husband/wife ___________

I, ____, commit myself to you, ____, as wife/husband, accepting you for all the risings and settings of the sun, for all the days of our lives.I pledge my faithful love and support as long as
time is ours

____________

Irish Traditional Vow

You
cannot possess me for I belong to myself
But while we both wish it,
I give you that which is mine to give.

You
cannot command me for I am a free person.
But I shall serve you in those ways you require
And the honeycomb will taste sweeter coming from my hand.
I pledge to you that yours will be the name I cry aloud in the night.
and the eyes into which I smile in the morning.
I pledge to you the first bite from my meat.
And the first drink from my cup.

I pledge to you my living, and my dying, equally in your care.
And tell no strangers our grievances.
This is my wedding vow to you
This is a marriage of equals.